His key campaign issues included public safety, and transparency and accountability in city government.

On the tough campaign trail, Carr often pointed out Holmes had not worked as a prosecutor.

Still, Holmes received endorsements from King County Democrats, King County Councilmember Larry Gossett, Seattle City Councilman Nick Licata and House Speaker Frank Chopp (D-Seattle).

Carr, a Bronx, N.Y., native, had been criticized by Holmes for Operation Sobering Thought -- a 2007 bar sting that led to charges against more than two dozen bar workers. There were no convictions in the effort that cost more than $50,000, and many nightlife workers voiced support for Holmes.

Elected as City Attorney in 2001, Carr told voters he was running on his record of achievement, including a 90 percent successful prosecution rate and helping to reduce auto thefts and the jail population.

Carr had been supported by the Seattle Police Officers Guild and helped orchestrate the Seattle Drug Market Initiative, in which some low-risk suspected drug offenders were given the option to avoid prosecution if they stopped criminal activity in the Central District. It was part of an overall plan to decrease an open-air drug market there.

His office also received praise for community court projects, and from some neighbors near Aurora Avenue North for targeting what police said were longtime problem motels.

Carr told seattlepi.com Tuesday he hoped Seattleites would remember the "really great, positive change," he helped bring in his role. He mentioned the Sex Industry Victims Fund, the Seattle Justice Information System and the Tent City agreement.